It was a proud and stirring moment for the South African nursing profession as the achievements of 97 healthcare professionals were recognised at the 21st graduation ceremony for Netcare Education’s Western Cape campus last week.
Campus manager Ilse Crafford notes that 2023 was a historic graduation year, being the first cohort of students qualifying in the new three year general nurse programme from Netcare Education Western Cape – the only private nursing higher education institution in Cape Town accredited to offer the new nursing qualifications.
“This is also the 25th anniversary of our campus and was our first in-person graduation ceremony since COVID-19. It was, therefore, a particularly meaningful moment as we celebrated all those graduating from various programmes, demonstrating the multiplicity of options available to anyone who enters the nursing profession.
“From this remarkable group of achievers, no less than 26 individuals received special awards – a testament to the level of care and excellence that is so apparent among those who have chosen to further their educational journey with us,” she says.
| From left to right: Emma Geustyn, hospital based academic staff; Charlotte Botha, hospital based academic staff; Nuki de Jongh, hospital based academic staff; Toy Vermaak, manager Netcare Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare; Nonhlanhla Hadebe, gold medallist; Dr Shannon Nell, group director Netcare Nursing and Nursing Education; Sylvia Ninham, nursing services manager, Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital. |
| From left to right: Toy Vermaak, manager Netcare Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare; Suzanne Wortley, hospital based academic staff; Russell Moore-Saayman, academic head of department, Netcare Education Western Cape; Perez Juma, bronze medallist; Natheerah Holtman, hospital based academic staff; Karen Hill, hospital based academic staff; Alzita Rix, nursing services manager, Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. |
| From left to right: Toy Vermaak, manager Netcare Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare; Saschaleigh Swart from Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, recipient of the Netcare Education Campus Manager Award; Ilse Crafford, campus manager Netcare Education Western Cape. |
Crafford points out that so many graduates achieve their academic goals in the face of heartache and adversity, but the call to care for others is so strong they are undeterred in their pursuit.
“There are among us many who have struggled to get where they are today. One such young nurse comes to mind. Pheliswa Ngwilikane from Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital is described by the academic team there as an individual who creeps into the corner of your heart, demonstrating tremendous resilience and sheer determination in the face of enormous loss and life challenges during the past three years.
“Pheliswa could not have known it when she began her studies, but by the time of her graduation, she would have lost her sister, her mother and her brother. She also experienced the joy of having her first child, returning to her course just six weeks later. She was also one of the thousands of nursing students whose studies were disrupted and who were thrown in the deep end during the pandemic.
| From left to right: Carien De Swardt, hospital based academic staff; Dr Nceba Ndzwayiba, group director Human Resources and Transformation; Aspasia Hakizimana from UCT Private Academic Hospital, recipient of the Netcare Education Auxiliary Nurse Excellence Award; Carol Gray, nursing services manager, UCT Private Academic Hospital. |
| From left to right: Ilse Crafford, campus manager Netcare Education Western Cape; Pheliswa Ngwilikane from Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital; and Russell Moore-Saayman, academic head of department, Netcare Education Western Cape. Pheliswa graduated as a registered general nurse, demonstrating tremendous resilience and sheer determination in the face of enormous loss and life challenges during the past three years. |
“Despite all of this, Pheliswa was determined not to lose time. She worked hard to make up her hours to graduate with her classmates, who all pulled together like a first-rate Olympic team under pressure, assisting one another through some of life’s most unexpected moments.
“It is with immense pride that we see Pheliswa graduate as a Registered General Nurse, alongside her peers whose tenacity, discipline and dedication are indicators of the bright futures in nursing that lie ahead of them, even in challenging times,” she said.
Toy Vermaak, manager of the Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare (FNAH) at Netcare Education, congratulated the graduates on their achievements while thanking the academic and administrative staff and management, hospital based academic staff, hospital management and nursing staff.
“It is with great joy that we congratulate all our graduates who have achieved this great milestone and acknowledge the vital role played by those who have supported them along the way, from their families, communities and peers to their educators. It is a proud moment for our profession,” she concluded.
Ends
Notable Special Awards
Netcare Education Gold Medal
The Netcare Education Gold Medal was awarded to Nonhlanhla Goodness Hadebe from Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, who achieved an overall mark of 75% across the three years of training.
Netcare Education Bronze Medal
The Netcare Education Bronze Medal was awarded to Perez Atieno Jume from Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, who achieved an overall mark of 75% across the three years of training.
Netcare Education Campus Manager’s Award
This award was presented to Saschaleigh Swart at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. It is bestowed upon a student employed by Netcare or placed in a Netcare hospital for work integrated learning who best epitomises the Netcare core values both within the hospital and the campus environment.
Netcare Education Auxiliary Nurse Excellence Award
The Netcare Education, Auxiliary Nurse Excellence Award was awarded to Aspasia Pericles Hakizimana from UCT Private Academic Hospital, who achieved an overall mark of 76% across the year of training in the Higher Certificate Auxiliary Nurse Programme.
Netcare Education Leadership Recognition Award
The Netcare Education Leadership Recognition Award is bestowed upon a member of staff who demonstrated excellent leadership skills in the campus and/or hospital environment. This year the award went to Russel Moore-Saayman, academic head of department at Netcare Education Western Cape.
Notes to editor
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